Anyone with the new start stop fiat with amplified alternator?

[Pausim]

I have start/stop on an automatic DSG gearbox and it is very good. I hold the car firmly on the foot brake and when I see a gap approaching I ease the pressure off the brake slightly, this is enough to restart the engine without releasing the brakes. When the gap comes I am ready to go, no problem. It is just a matter of getting used to the technique. I don’t know if this partial easing of the brake pressure works on all stop/start vehicles, if not it should do because it makes an enormous difference, I might not like it otherwise.

 

[Twincam Escort]

Yes mine was a DSG. Superb gearbox.
I didnt have the partial brake thing you refer to though.

 

[thebriars]

Turning the steering wheel will also restart the engine on many stop/start cars.

 

[Ditcha]

Just a different style of driving

 

[Spriddler]

It's horrible, with the car you would stop at the lights pop it into 1st to pull away, nothing, go into panic mode. Then realise the engine is not running as to get it to start you have to push the clutch right down to the floor much further than you would normally to select a gear.
At least once the car was a couple of years old it stopped working & I didn't have to keep turning it off.

Couldn't agree more. My new Citroen C4 Cactus with Stop/Start and the robotised gearbox was absolutely awful, dangerous even, as it took forever to get away at junctions and roundabouts and just as I entered the traffic at about 20mph it would change to 2nd taking ages to do so and slowing down before the drive returned.
I changed it after 6* weeks and that included 4 weeks spent finding an alternative - (Audi, non S/Start with sublime DSG transmission).
* I can't test drive a car before purchase as I have to have it adapted with some hand controls due to a m/bike crash ten years ago.

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[autorouter]

it is a extra for the "battery booster" why they all have different names for the same thing (B2B) is beyond me.

B2B (Battery-to-battery) is a very wide-ranging description, and technically includes all kinds of things that motorhomers would not call B2B, like a BatteryMaster for example. I expect there will be loads of different terms for the alternator-powered auxiliary battery charger, until a common one is generally accepted. They certainly are not going away, but might be built into the alternator instead of being separate.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

The Eco pack is an upgrade available on the new Fiat, however it is Fitted as standard on the automatic 160 and 180bhp Models.

yes it comes with stop/start , new electronic fuel pump, and smart alternator. I believe it also has the split charge relay too.

The Ecopack is also mandatory on 140hp version with auto gearbox - according to the brochure>accessories>Notes!

 

[Rodneyplonker]

The new 9 speed auto is so smooooth flawless change way better than the robotised 6 speed.

Also, Spitfire.
What size engine do you have on your van with the 9 speed and does it cope well pulling away?

 

[Ditcha]

Also, Spitfire.
What size engine do you have on your van with the 9 speed and does it cope well pulling away?

I've only test drove it, 180bhp goes really well

 

[StephDeLux]

I'm fairly certain Hymer fit a Schaudt B2B as standard.

Mine indeed came with a Schaudt B2B.

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[Rodneyplonker]

Does anyone know what he charge output of the latest smart Alternators is on a Fiat Ducato?

 

[Lenny HB]

Does anyone know what he charge output of the latest smart Alternators is on a Fiat Ducato?

Don't know about the new ones but the older ones were anything 90 amp up to 170/180 amp depending on what the converter specified.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

Sorry Lenny, my mistake... I meant voltage.

 

[PeteH]

Just turn it off on the dash but you have to remember to do it each time in the car as it resets each time you turn the ignition off don't know if its the same on the ducato or whether it remembers the setting.

Don`t know if it works with all cars, but, on SWMBO`s car if the bonnet is raised the "stop start" feature is by-passed. Necessary to allow the tec`s to work on them. It is triggered by a switch on the bonnet, unbolt the switch, Tape it in the Open position and tie wrap to a suitable object. The Stop start feature will now never work as it thinks the bonnet is open.

 

[Pausim]

Don`t know if it works with all cars, but, on SWMBO`s car if the bonnet is raised the "stop start" feature is by-passed. Necessary to allow the tec`s to work on them. It is triggered by a switch on the bonnet, unbolt the switch, Tape it in the Open position and tie wrap to a suitable object. The Stop start feature will now never work as it thinks the bonnet is open.

Do you end up with a warning light or other safety features because it thinks the bonnet is not shut?

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[Rodneyplonker]

Interesting article on this link regarding smart alternators/B2B/Split charging!

Aux Battery Charging With Smart Alternators | 12 Volt Planet

A guide to the benefits of using battery to battery chargers to overcome split charging problems caused by smart alternators on modern Euro 5 & 6 vehicles.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[Deneb]

Don`t know if it works with all cars

It doesn't.

 

[Metamorfosis]

This thread had diverted a bit into a stop start discussion. I was more interested in the virtues of the fiat alternator fitted to the newer automatics with the 'amplified' term whether they can charge leisure batteries sufficiently and specifically the AGM variety that are fitted as standard to most vans. There must be quite a few funsters who have new vans. Perhaps they are all having B2Bs fitted straight away regardless.

 

[Deneb]

This thread had diverted a bit into a stop start discussion. I was more interested in the virtues of the fiat alternator fitted to the automatics with the 'amplified' term whether they can charge leisure batteries sufficiently and specifically the AGM variety that are fitted as standard to most vans.

I suspect "amplified" is an in-house advertising term. It will be a "smart" AKA "intelligent" alternator. The output is controlled by the vehicle's ECU to vary charging according to operating conditions and minimise emissions whilst maximising fuel efficiency. They don't work well with dumb split-charge relays, but as long as the van is equipped with a modern charger designed to work with an intelligent alternator they will likely be more efficient than a traditional split-charge relay.

Try googling smart or intelligent alternators and motorhome charging and I suspect you will find a lot more information.

 

[PeteH]

Do you end up with a warning light or other safety features because it thinks the bonnet is not shut?

Cannot say as SWMBO. won` let me do it!!. and its her car. (baby), the information was off the internet, when I was considering it!. `cos it pis88es me off!.

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[funflair]

This thread had diverted a bit into a stop start discussion. I was more interested in the virtues of the fiat alternator fitted to the newer automatics with the 'amplified' term whether they can charge leisure batteries sufficiently and specifically the AGM variety that are fitted as standard to most vans. There must be quite a few funsters who have new vans. Perhaps they are all having B2Bs fitted straight away regardless.

We are on IVECO base not Fiat but the "smart" alternator issues will be the same, we have a "ladebooster' translated as charge booster/B2B fitted as standard, just under 100amps on tickover.

Martin